Part 59 - Ha, Bhutan: Paro road observations and views of Ha Dzong

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SUMMARY:
Notes compare Tobgye’s stance with that of Paro regarding Nepalese settlers, and describe a comfortable rest house and a massively built Dzong. Fieldwork continued along the Paro road in fir forest with few birds seen; prisoners from Ha wearing kangues were working on road repairs, and views of Ha Dzong were noted alongside new flowers and shrubs.

CONTENT:
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Late Maharaja. Paro does not perhaps altogether agree with this, but Tobgye says he really interferes very little with him. Tobgye is afraid of the Nepalese settlers coming into Bhutan. So far they are only in the low lying Dooars, but tend to come up the valleys. He stops them as far as is in his power, but Paro allows them much more freedom. Everything here is made very pleasant and comfortable for us. 4 rooms and a large central hall. The rest house is a gaudily painted, but very strongly built affair, the floor planks each being about 18" across and 7 yards long. The Dzong opposite is a building which should last for years, very massively built, with a painted enclosed balcony running round one side and half of two other sides. It is built square, with a court in the centre. In the court is built another Dzong of similar type.

12th June - HA. B. S. continued. Spent the morning up the Paro road in the fir forest. Weather fine with showers. Few birds seen, and only two specimens shot. I tried my utmost to catch sight of any there but failed. Prisoners of Ha working on the road, and wearing Kangues. Views of Ha Dzong from up Paro road. Passed on the way four prisoners repairing the road. They were chained round the ankles and were wearing the 'kangue' round their necks. The local word for these means "door". Flowers and shrubs are coming out now and we found several new kinds. In the afternoon Tobgye